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Topic: W&Q Railroad Acquired by CP (Read 3939 times)

APRIL 1, 2016 - In a surprise move to create North America's first transcontinental railroad empire, Canadian Pacific Railroad announced today its acquisition of the Wiscasset and Quebec Railroad.

"With the opening of the widened Panama Canal, we have identified the strategic importance of the vastly underutilized port of Wiscasset" said CP CEO Hunter Harrison. "Acquiring the Wiscasset and Quebec charter and assets gives us easy access to this new market." He noted that since the W&Q was never abandoned, and a track gauge not specified in the charter, construction of the railroad will avoid many obstacles usually preventing new rail lines.

Under the terms of the agreement, current lessor of the W&Q, the WW&F Railway Museum of Alna, Maine will expand its narrow gauge operations on the route – utilizing dual-gauge track from Wiscasset to Head Tide. WW&F volunteer Glenn Christensen mused of the museum expanded holiday operations: "At Head Tide station, in fading light of a cold winter's day, horses, carriages and even a few jitneys, await the arrival of the train from Wiscasset. The evening promises warm spiced cider, seasonal treats and joyous Christmas caroling at the Head Tide church."

WW&F CMO Jason Lamontagne has been given the new title of heritage operations director for the new railroad. He will oversee the restoration of a fleet of CP steam locomotives, all streamlined and dressed in CP's traditional maroon and gold livery. "Ever since my daughter Amelia has become enamored with the useful engines on the Isle of Sodor, I have become quite fond of modern streamlined power painted in bright, gaudy colors" stated Lamontagne, before running from the podium towards a bathroom, apparently to vomit.

The new railroad will combine its existing names to be known as the Wiscasset, Quebec and Pacific Railway. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, the officers of the Winter Scientific Institute, former owners of the W&Q assets, were heard weeping.

My guess is CP dropped NS like a hot potato when they found out they could do business with the WW&F. Once they succumb to REALITY and GIVE us their interest, THEN we begiin resettling Jason's stomach and can start on the NS acquisition ...

An interesting factoid - Actual operating experience in Europe, South American and probably other places too, determined that the narrowest track gauge sustainable for regularly transporting small standard gauge equipment was roughly 30"/750mm/760mm. Two foot was OK for narrower-than-standard-gauge-equipment, like 3' and (maybe) meter gauge, but nothing wider. That is why the Cubans were able to modify 3' gauge locomotives to run reliably on 27-3/4" (700mm?) gauge track at "Centrals" Simon Bolivar and Obdulio Morales.

That is probably also why 30' gauge saw more deployment world-wide than did 2'/(610mm) gauge.